Former Trinidad and Tobago defender Brent Sancho is pleased with the progress the Soca Warriors have made under head coach Dwight Yorke but believes that if the team is to truly compete against Concacaf’s elite and push for World Cup qualification, more stability is needed in midfield and defence.

Sancho, now an analyst, was particularly impressed with the team’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Cuba in the Concacaf Gold Cup Qualifiers at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Tuesday. However, while acknowledging the attacking display, he pointed out that structural weaknesses remain, especially when facing tougher opposition.

"I’m not just talking about playing against teams like Cuba, St Kitts & Nevis, or Grenada. If we are serious about qualifying for the World Cup, we have to be able to handle the big teams in the region. And it’s not much," Sancho said in an interview with Guardian Media.

Sancho, who played in Trinidad and Tobago’s historic 2006 World Cup campaign, knows the importance of a well-drilled defensive unit. He noted that lapses in concentration have cost the team in recent matches, referencing the defensive blunders against Cuba and Jamaica earlier this year.

"It was a good result; there’s no doubt about that. In terms of results, it is what Dwight Yorke would have wanted as a head coach: a win and an emphatic win at home too. We speak about being aggressive in terms of the way they wanted to play, and the red card would have assisted in that, but all in all, it was a good result and a good performance," Sancho shared.

“There is enough to build on moving forward, and I don’t think that was ever the problem. But when you’re talking about World Cup qualification, you need fully functioning departments, and I do feel we still have some leaks in some areas, particularly in midfield and defence,” he explained.

Sancho was quick to clarify that the issue is not necessarily with the current players, but rather that the squad might need additional reinforcements.

“I don’t think it’s about the players not giving their all. I think it’s probably the need for the addition of one or two players who can do those particular roles. I don’t think the players we have there have the skill sets to go to that level, so I think those two departments are areas he would look at to improve," he noted.

Despite his concerns, Sancho highlighted several bright spots in the squad, including the performances of young talents like Tyrese Spicer and Dantaye Gilbert.

"Tyrese Spicer has been fantastic, considering this is only his second game. So, we have a lot of promise there, certainly a lot of promise with Dantaye Gilbert, particularly when you look at his age and his maturity. And we have seen a better version of Daniel Phillips in the middle of the park, so those are some of the positives," he opined.

The Soca Warriors will next compete in the Unity Cup in London this May, where they will face Nigeria, Ghana, and Jamaica in preparation for the resumption of World Cup qualifying action against St Kitts & Nevis and Costa Rica on June 6 and 10, respectively.